Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-19

conditions prevailing at the present time the ex-
pend1tureS should be considered as wasteful and
war. Under the special circumstances which OBJ
tain at the present moment, am not prepared to
IS Seen q such sum as
form junction In time OF peace important to our
commerce, and IT Is not unlikely that they may be
needed Within the next six or eight months for
purposes OF observation and for such slight secur
lIy as tney may be able to afford at points where
our @ conn commercial ne interests may require them. do
not reler 20 the use OF these for any fighting
purposes for that would only be to invite national
humiliation, but in time of peace vessels Of war
aDa ace ceres s TO
They carry men trained in the knowledge OF in.
ternational law and international rights, and be-
come ADVISORS apd protectors OF the citizens OF the
country engaged In commerce throughout the
world. 1t is lamentable that we should be Obliged
10 spend money upon implements OF war which
have no real value except in time Of peace, but
such seems to be the necessity at the present time.
I think the sum OF $500, 600 would cover all that
the S0th OF June"
The National Defenses.
GEN. SHERIDAN SAYS GUNS MUST BE FIRST PROVIDED.
BY invitation Gen. sheridan was before the
House military affairs committee yesterday and
gave his views as to the necessity OF national de-
lenses. He said that the first thing required was
guns, OF which the country at present entirely
oestltute Next to guns the greatest necessity was
cruisers, and after them torpedoes The ordnance
department. the general said, was behind the
Ilmes, especially In regard to small arms There
ernment, while all other nations were adopting
Inem. Tne absence OF proper appropriations had,
OF course. great deal to do with this.
District I'm Congress.
MEDALS FOR THE NATIONAL DRILL
MI. Manderson, from the committee on military
AFFAIRS yesterday reported favorably in the Senate
an amendment to the legislative appropriation
bill making an appropriation of 8 500 to enable
the Secretary OF War to provide suitable medals
dr1u TO take place in Washington next May.
Capitol Topics.
THE REPORT AGAINST PUBLIC PRINTER BENEDICT.
The Senate committee on printing has agreed
two to one-to report adversely upon the nomina-
tiOn Of Public Printer Benedict. The report will
De made at the next executive session.
TO AID EMIGRANTs TO AFRICA.
Senator Sawyer yesterday introduced an amend
ment to the general deficiency bill, directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the United
States and Congo national emigration steamship
company sum equal to 500 and rat1ons for sixty
sire 70 emlgrate TO Africa on the ships OF their line
THE VETOED PENSION Bill.
The House committee on invalid pensions to
day by unanimous vote decided to report back
the dependent pension bill with recommended
tion that it be passed over the Presidents veto,
and that 1t be called up on Thursday next
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
The Senate yesterday afternoon took up the
river and harbor bill, and section 8 (Which pro-
vtdes for the requirement by condemnation OF
land or material necessary in the prosecution OF
works OF fmprovemenU was modified by striking
out the words ''or material" Various appropria-
tons were increased-that for Charleston harbor
from s15O,OOO to $500, ,OOO Without dspOsing of
the bill the Senate, at twenty-five minutes past
tive, adjourned till to-day.
TRADE DOLLARS.
The confereeS On the trade dollar bill have agreed
upon report. 1t provides for the redemption OF
the trade dollar at par until July l, 1887. They
are to be sent to the mnts as bullion which, how
ever, is not 10 De counted as part OF the silver
bullion required TO be purchased and coined into
standard dollars as required by act OF February
%, 1878.
CAPITOL CHANGES.
The provision in the sundry civil bill for new
elevatorin the House wing OF the Capitol contem.
plates the construction Of the elevator in the
southwest corner OF the wing in front of the door
OF the room now occupied by the speaker. 1t is
proposed TO give the speaker the room at the end
room for the appropriations comm1Ctee, and to cut
door into it from the House lobby. The appro-
priattonS committee Is to be given the Sergean-at-
arms room sand the room now occupied by the
speaker. which adjoin. The sergeant-at-arms
Office will be moved to the large room now Occu-
pied by the appropriations committee.
GETTING sHRoUGH THE sUNDRY CIVIL BILL
The House took up the Senate amendments to
the sundry civil bill and disposed Of 1876 Of the
26O, before adjournment yesterday. The recon-
followed. except in the case OF the $4,000 item
Tor testing the merits OF the method OF preventing
yellow fever by incubation, which was concurred
in by the House.
A favorable report was ordered yesterday by the
House committee on naval affairs on the bill to
equal1ze the salaries OF graduates OF the naval
academy.